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Sam Dyer
  - Joined on 09-08-2006
- Craig 364
- Posts 1
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Re: Sample syllabi, anyone?
Introduction to University LifeIDS 110, Section 93, Fall 2007 Instructor: Dr. Sam Dyer, Jr. Associate Professor of CommunicationOffice: Craig 364Hours: MWF 9-10, 2-3 and TR 2-3Office phone: 836-6612Home phone: 887-1355Email: samueldyer@missouristate.edu
Textbook and Resources:· Student Success/Foundations for Learning, Hazard and Nadeau · Missouri State University Catalog 2007-08 · www.missouristate.edu/student.asp Catalog Description: Designed to facilitate a successful university experience, this course introduces students to the purposes and processes of higher education. Emphasis is placed on the holistic development of the student. Required of freshmen. Honors students must substitute UHC 110 for this class. Mission Statement: To offer a foundation for student success. Goals and Objectives: Goal I: (Resources)Students will learn the University’s statewide mission of Public Affairs and the mission of the University College: To ease students’ transition to SMSU and to familiarize them with the mission while bringing them into the learning community…To assist all students in developing a common foundation of knowledge, skills and understandings so as to prepare students for success in their chosen majors and in the larger community. Objective 1: Students will identify means for finding campus resources, locate resources for academics, advising and career planning, and learn about co-curricular resources. Goal II: (Research)Students will learn about the availability of University resources in order to become participants in the process of academic inquiry. Objective 2: Students will learn to find sources of information using the library's databases and the internet for basic research purposes; use critical thinking strategies and effective study skills. Goal III: (Responsibility)Students will learn to make informed choices. Objective 3: Students will identify areas of personal, civic and social responsibility, and compare and contrast sources of information for making informed decisions.Objective 4: Students will acquire information to make informed choices affecting physical health, emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships. Course Expectations
- Attend class and be punctual.
- Participation is encouraged and graded.
- Be responsible for all information and assignments covered in class.
- Turn in written assignments on time, typed, double-spaced. Spelling and grammar are graded.
- Assigned readings should be read before class. Be prepared for discussions.
- Assigned oral presentations will adhere to class schedule.
- Schedule a personal conference (approximately 20 minutes) with me within the first four weeks of class during office hours.
- Respect all others in the classroom, even when their opinions differ.
Assignments: $ Term paper: 5-7 pages; 100 points. Topic: Why I chose my career or why I chose my major.$ Short essays and assignments: 1-2 pages each; 100 points (20 points a piece, top five graded).$ Short speech on career goals: 3-5 minutes; at least one visual aid required; 50 points.$ Discussion: 50 points.$ One test: 100 points. Grading: A standard 90, 80, 70, 60 grading scale will be used. Criteria used for evaluating assignments and tests will be discussed prior to each assessment being graded. Criteria for marking short essays and assignments: Check plus:These assignments meet the guidelines for the assignment completely. These assignments are very creative in terms of the analysis and synthesis of ideas from reading to writing. The student clearly indicates with their writing strong reasoning and analysis. A variety of support materials are used to substantiate ideas in the paper. The student writes excellently in superb English with excellent grammar and spelling. These assignments receive a grade of 95/100. Check:These assignments are typically shorter than the check plus paper. Additionally, these papers are deficient in reasoning and analysis. These papers do not exhibit the reasoning, analysis and higher order thinking evident in a Check Plus paper. These papers iterate what was found in the readings, but infrequently engage in analysis of the readings. Not as much evidence of integration and synthesis of reading, thinking and writing is found in these papers as are found in the Check Plus papers. These assignments receive a grade of 85/100. Check minus:These assignments typically have one or more spelling or grammatical errors. The writer indicates that he/she has not thought critically about the assignment and writes at a largely descriptive rather than analytical level. The writing of these papers is not as creative or thoughtful as the Check or Check Plus papers. Some aspects of the assignment guideline may not be present in this paper. Little evidence of integration and synthesis of reading, thinking and writing is found in these papers. These assignments receive a grade of 75/100. Students receiving a grade of Check minus may rewrite and resubmit their papers if they wish to do so. Please attach original paper to the rewrite when resubmitting Check Minus papers. Maximum rewrite score: 80/100. Rewrite: These papers are not assigned a grade. These assignments are not acceptable for one or more reasons and are returned to the student for a rewrite. Any student completing a rewrite must attach the original paper to the rewrite when resubmitting any assignment. Attendance: Attendance will be taken everyday. Written excuses are not required or expected for any absence that you have from the lecture. To be on time for class you must be in class within ten minutes of the start of the class period. Policy on late assignments: Late assignments will start at only 70% of the value of assignments handed in on time. This 70% is available for only two weeks after the assignment due date. If you are going to miss a class, then hand in your assignment early to avoid penalty. It is not fair to other members of the class if you have more time to prepare assignments. No assignments will be accepted for any reason beyond the last full day of classes. Plagiarism: Document ideas in your essays at least once every paragraph and your arguments will be free of calls of "plagiarism!" Any instances of cheating or plagiarism in the class will be reported directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs of MSU for adjudication. Nondiscrimination: MSU is an equal opportunity institution, and maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right toaddress inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Equal Opportunity Officer, (417) 836-4245. Concerns about discrimination can also be brought directly to your instructor's attention,and/or to the attention of your instructor's Department Head. Disability Accommodation: MSU makes reasonable accommodations for student with disabilities. Please see the instructor if you need reasonable accommodation. Binding policy statement: All students at MSU are required to know all laws, regulations, and deadlines that could affect their grade in a course of study. Most of these regulations are in The Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs, and other the University Web Site. Students in particular must familiarize themselves with class registration, fee payment and withdrawal deadlines, deadlines for course work, requirements for personal conduct, computer account acquisition, and other regulations of the University.
Tentative daily class schedule: Fall 2007, First Block: 8 weeks.
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Date |
Activity |
Reading |
| 8.21 |
Introduction to class |
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| 8.23 |
Finish introduction to class.Arrange times to meet with professor in Craig 364 |
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| 8.28 |
Orienting yourself to college. |
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| 8.30 |
Using the libraryGo to library for this class, not our classroom. |
Meet in Library room 106Chapter 9 |
| 9.4 |
1. Essay due: Write an essay in which you describe why you are at university. Be prepared to discuss in class. |
Chapter 1 |
| 9.6 |
Values and service learning: Public affairs mission. |
Chapter 13 |
| 9.11 |
Enhancing study skills. Managing time. 2. Essay due: Prepare an essay with supporting table of activities that outlines your weekly time schedule. |
Chapter 2 |
| 9.13 |
Taking tests and managing stress. |
Chapter 6, 7 and 14 |
| 9.18 |
The good, the bad, and the not so bad. |
Self confessions. |
| 9.20 |
Getting academic advisement 3. Essay Due. Write an essay in which you make a recommendation in letter form to a fellow student on what you would do to improve your study skills.Student speeches (five students) |
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| 9.25 |
Communicating effectively. 4. Essay Due. Write an essay where you advise a friend about what constitutes, in your opinion, effective and healthy interpersonal relationships.Student speeches (five students) |
Chapter 11 |
| 9.27 |
DiversityStudent speeches (five students) |
Chapter 12 |
| 10.2 |
Writing the term paper for the classHow to write a good C.V. and cover letterStudent speeches (five students) |
Chapter 8 |
| 10.4 |
Planning for a satisfying career.5. Essay Due. Hand in your own personal C.V.Student speeches (five students) |
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| 10.9 |
Test: End of class. Term paper due. |
Bring a blue book |
Sam Dyer, Jr.
Department of Communication
Missouri State University
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